By Jamie Elliott

The former South American shot-stopper, who was regarded as one of the greatest and was both heroic at club and international level, has died following a respiratory illness

Retired Uruguay international goalkeeper Ladislao Mazurkiewicz has died aged 67 following a short respiratory illness.

The news was confirmed through the former Penarol shot-stopper’s Twitter account. A week ago, he was suffering from breathing problems which meant he was admitted to hospital as his condition worsened.

Mazurkiewicz was considered to be one among the finest goalkeepers in the world and his performance in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico epitomized what he was capable of with his displays between the sticks ensuring the South Americans would go as far as the last four in Brazil.

The former Uruguay number one had a glistening career which saw him collect a handful of silverware including three league titles, the South American Copa Libertadores, and the Intercontinental Cup in 1966, as well as the league championship in Brazil with Atletico Mineiro in the early 1970s.

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